A game plan for surplus pumpkin

So, you bought a pumpkin big enough to take Cinderella to the ball in, but only used a third of it. Now you have a large, orange vegetable glaring at you every time you open the crisper and throwing you into a panic. We save the day with a guide to embracing the gourd.

Source: Benito Martin

1. Sage advice

Never has there been a ménage à trois more appealing than the bedfellows of pumpkin, sage and butter. Herbal, vegetal and rich, this threesome brings the dazzle back to yesterday's pumpkin, especially when encased in soft envelopes of pasta.

Pumpkin tortellini with sage butter Source: Alan Benson

2. Wedge it in

Pumpkins can withstand a good roasting and come out on top, so leave the skins on for some sizzling, blistered action when you pop your wedges into the oven for this beautifully spiced salad. A drizzle of creamy yoghurty, lemony tahini dressing is going to complete the picture.

Roasted spiced pumpkin salad Source: Feast Magazine

3. Feeling pumped

We may be steering clear of soup in our plan for a pumpkin-less-ordinary, but this stew or 'cassoulet' from Matthew Evans is a one-dish-wonder that deserves your consideration. It's vegetarian-friendly as is, but you could add diced speck or even chorizo, if you so desired.

Chickpea, pumpkin and cavolo nero 'cassoulet' Source: Alan Benson

4. Dump-ling it

Hey, Pumpkin! Yum-cha just called - you're dump-linged. Hit with a zing of ginger and a hint of cumin, these sweet little steamed parcels may not at first seem typically Chinese but, they are, originating from the vegetable-loving area of Xinjiang. We recommend a liberal sprinkling of chilli flakes per dumpling.

Pumpkin dumplings Source: Leanne Kitchen

5. Good gourd!

There aren't too many vegetables out there that can bridge the divide between soup and ice-cream, but pumpkin can. Speaking of cans, this recipe for pumpkin ice-cream sandwiches calls for canned pumpkin purée, but you can also make your own using a dry, low water-content pumpkin, such as a Queensland blue or kent.

Pumpkin ice cream sandwiches

6. Leftover, but not forgotten

It may be cold outside, but that doesn't mean salad days are over. This Middle Eastern spiced salad includes two of pumpkin's favourite playmates, feta and chickpeas, so toss them together and let the fun begin.

Middle Eastern chickpea and pumpkin salad with feta Source: Benito Martin

7. Give thanks

You don't need to wait until Thanksgiving rolls around in America to make this classic pie. Put that leftover pumpkin in some pastry and get busy giving thanks for such an abundantly useful vegetable. We'll confess, we often buy an oversized pumpkin in the hope we have leftovers for this very recipe.

Pumpkin pie